title: Channel regulation of glucose sensing in the pancreatic beta-cell.
abstract: Mammalian beta-cells are acutely and chronically regulated by sensing surrounding glucose levels that determine the rate at which insulin is secreted, to maintain euglycemia. Experimental research in vitro and in vivo has shown that, when these cells are exposed to adverse conditions like long periods of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, their capability to sense glucose is decreased. Understanding the normal physiology and identifying the main players along this route becomes paramount. In this review, we have taken on the task of looking at the role that ion channels play in the regulation of this process, delineating the different families, and describing the signaling that parallels the glucose sensing process that results in insulin release.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98122, USA.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiriart
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aguilar-Bryan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D015221:Potassium Channels; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels; D005947:Glucose